Lectures on Christian Science are given primarily for the purpose of furnishing, to those in the community who have an awakening interest in the subject, information concerning its teachings and its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy. There is usually an effort on the part of the members of the church or society giving a lecture to bring into the audience as many as possible who are not Christian Scientists, and arrangements are lovingly made to ensure their being provided with good seats when they arrive.
Sometimes the question arises as to whether the members should stay away in order that ample room may be left for strangers. In one or two instances this thought has been carried out to the extent that a large number of the members remained at home, leaving the audience composed mostly of strangers; and later it was found that there were plenty of seats vacant in the Sunday school or some other room where the members could have been accommodated.
The members of the church sponsoring the lecture would naturally be present to welcome their guests and to give mental and spiritual support for the occasion. If the attendance is so large that it seems necessary for members to give up their seats, they might be prepared to do so, and listen to the lecture either from the rear of the hall or from some other part of the building connected with the auditorium by a public address system. Lecturers are, of course, glad to find in their audiences a goodly number of new seekers for truth. They will also expect to be welcomed by their hosts, although the latter may unselfishly remain standing at the back of the auditorium, if this is necessary in order to provide seats for the invited guests.
